Well-Matched Mismatcher

Not a bad little Friday. First, passed Arabic exam. Second, ran off to a courthouse with a lovely little lady. Third, realized I was wearing a pair of pants that did not match my jacket. Finally, celebrated the evening away with a remarkable gathering of friends and family. :-)

Family Sightseeing #2

(or How to Rent Bikes and Peddle from DC to Great Falls)

Last time, it was a bike ride out to Mt. Vernon. This time, the bike trip during mom and dad's father's day visit was northwest into Maryland to Great Falls. A great 30-mile loop, doable even for amateurs

Rentals at Big Wheels Bikes in Georgetown. Good deal of only $21 per bike, with helmet and lock.

Depart Georgetown 10:30 am
Arrive Great Falls 1:00 pm
Depart Great Falls 2:30 pm
Return Georgetown 4:30 pm

Steadily uphill on the way to Great Falls, but you don't really notice it until the return trip is consistently and comfortably downhill, alhamduallah. Such a scenic trip, I'm embarrassed that I hadn't ever been out there before the bike trip! Great place, especially widewater and the falls themselves.

Family Sightseeing #1

Great way to spend a memorial day weekend with Megan, Andrew and Kirsten. An 11-mile tourism marathon around just about all of DC!

Big Brother

My new favorite picture from two years in India:

Learning not to bike to places that start with “Mount”

What better gift for my parents’ anniversary than treating them to the same wondrous adventure that they raised me on: biking to the top of high places.


After two days of DC touring, we hopped onto two rented bikes (~$45 each at the local bike rental joint) and my rusty, squeaky early-summer purchase. Biking to Mount Vernon’s a nice little 15 mile adventure south of the city, almost entirely on paved bike trail. We invited Josh, Amy and little Elena, and set off after the morning rain stopped.


An hour in, about halfway, Amy popped a tire. The mini-adventure of getting it fixed was a nice break on the legs. Moving my heavy, inefficient bike was proving more difficult than I’d anticipated. Josh and I celebrated the crest of the hill, right before Mount Vernon, with a short walk – all the better to enjoy the views.


Luckily, the tour of George Washington’s manor was well worth the trek. You can see, with a view like that, why the man was content to give up public life in DC and return to the country. I wouldn’t mind the same someday.

Early Instincts

Apparently journaling and chronicling adventures was an early instinct.